Annual Christmas Boat Parade is Saturday

An annual Christmas Boat Parade sponsored by the Gulf Harbors Yacht Club is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Saturday from Leverock's Basin, New Port Richey.

The parade of boats will proceed up the North Channel, passing the Yacht Club for judging before transiting the various channels.

The event, open to the public for viewing and participation, has been sponsored by the Yacht Club for more than 30 years. The average number of boats in the parade has been about 20, some as long as 43 feet. The Yacht Club at Marine Parkway, New Port Richey, is a recommended place for viewing.

This year there also will be a boat-lighting event at the club. All the boats at the piers will be decorated and lighted at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The public is also welcome to attend the lighting.

Port Richey man celebrates 100 years

A party in his honor was held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at his home in Port Richey.

Allen is a direct descendant of Ethan Allen, the American Revolutionary War hero who led the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont.

Allen was born Dec. 5, 1900, at Fort Madison, Iowa, which is on the Mississippi River near St. Louis. As a boy he hunted mink, raccoon, oppossum and other wildlife for food and furs, and fished in the bottom lands with his father to make a living. As an adult, he traveled throughout the country, often hoboing on freight trains from job to job, harvesting crops, cutting trees and doing construction work. He gained the skill of making truck tires, which was his vocation until the work became too difficult for him. He was exempt from World War II because his work was considered essential. Later, he worked in security at Sears until he retired in 1966.

He and his wife, Frances, were married in Oakland, Calif., in 1948. They have no children. They came here in 1968 and became members of the Community Congregational Church in New Port Richey. A hip operation two years ago made it necessary for Allen to use a wheelchair. His hobbies now center around television following news, boxing, health shows and animal life.

Giant holiday cards to be put on display

The Holiday Recreation Complex and Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park are sponsoring a Holiday Card Lane, a display of holiday cards made by people at schools and businesses of the community.

The cards will measure 4 feet by 4 feet and 4 feet by 8 feet and will be displayed at the entrance of Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, off Little Road, New Port Richey.

The registration deadline is Friday. Cards will be on exhibit from Dec. 11 through Jan. 2. Registrations will be taken at the Holiday Recreation Complex, 2730 Strauber Memorial Highway, Holiday. There is no entry fee. For information, call 934-4198.

Church women's group to host tea party Tuesday

The United Methodist Women of First United Methodist Church, 5901 Indiana Ave., New Port Richey, is hosting a Christmas Tea Party at noon Tuesday at Henderson Hall.

"Henry Fletcher and Friends" will present the program, "New Life in Christ."

An invitation is extended to bring a friend and share in Christmas fellowship. If child care or transportation is needed, call Marguerite Hanna at 849-8024 or the church office at 842-7674.

Scandinavian club hosts picnic at park Tuesday

The Pasco Scandinavian American Club is hosting a picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Anderson Park, Shelter 4, Tarpon Springs.

Participants should bring a dessert to share when coffee and sweets are served at 2 p.m. For information, call 842-5781.

Dinner-dance to be held Tuesday at VFW post

Spaghetti with chicken, salad, dessert and a glass of wine will cost $5.25. From 6 to 9 p.m., Mike Reimbisz will provide music. For information, call 938-5977.

Travel club to meet, discuss future trips

The new Pasco Travel Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Hudson Library, Fivay and Library Road, to discuss future trips.

Possibilities include Holland, Spain and Portugal.

Prospective members are welcome. For information, call 868-0545.

Group to host lunch, card party on Tuesday

The Dixie Grove Community Association is hosting a luncheon-card party Tuesday at its clubhouse, 1750 Arcadia Road, Holiday.

Doors will open at 11 a.m. For information, call 934-5388.

Christmas show to feature pets and their owners

Pets Add Life will present a Christmas Show with their pets during December.

All performances are scheduled at 10 a.m.

The performances will be Tuesday at Regency Residence in Port Richey; Thursday at National Health Care in Hudson; Dec. 12 at Windsor Woods in Hudson; and Dec. 19 at The Arbors in Hudson.

For information, call 863-8214.

- Information about people and special events in west Pasco (including Holiday, Port Richey, New Port Richey and Hudson) must be sent in writing one week before the event or one week before deadline for reservations or tickets to Carolyn Hopkins, Pasco Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668. For information in most of west Pasco, call (727) 869-6231. From Holiday, call (727) 842-9465. Unless noted, all phone numbers are area code 727.